An exciting weekend in The Humble Bungalow...

We have been busy entertaining friends John and Cheryl from Vancouver this weekend.
They are the kind of friends that we are very comfortable spending time with...
we are all very relaxed and casual...
I think that is the sign of a great friendship... one does not need to "put on airs" or dress up.

Many conversations, walking and seeing some local sights were all part of our time spent together.

Friday evening we went out for martini's and sushi at The Oak Bay Marina.
Saturday after breakfast we did some marketing.
Cheryl and I decided that we wanted to cook a rack of lamb
to go with the exquisite 2004 vintage St Emilion grand cru that they brought home from France.
A visit to Slater's butcher shop for the Frenched rack of lamb.
Chiarelli's (the best deli in Victoria), for our assorted cheeses
Peppers Grocers for the fresh vegetables.

We also went to Hatley Castle and had a wonderful walk in the sunshine
(post to follow soon)
Olive the Senses for an olive oil and vinegar tasting and some purchases
and a quick stroll through Silk Road Tea Company for some teas.

The recipe is straight forward and has clear instructions

our results were delicious!

The racks were "Frenched" by the butcher

making it look very professional when entwined.

Truffle mashed potatoes

 french style bean with almonds

Rack of lamb Persillade

followed by a cheese course

Roquefort

caramelized onion cheddar

goat cheese

Manchego

Pecorino with Pepper

The mashed potatoes were easy peasy

boil peeled spuds

drain

mash and add 1 tablespoon truffle oil

2 tbsp. butter

then fold in one shaved truffle.

Dinner was a wonderful combination of flavours

and clean up went swiftly with many hands.

We had a lovely walk at Mount Douglas Summit and looked out over the city and the Gulf islands beyond

before driving out to Island View Beach for another stroll.

We worked up an appetite for lunch and enjoyed The Noodle Box in Sidney before taking them to the ferry. 

It's been a whirlwind of fun.

The leftover lamb is simmering now as Scotch Broth Soup

and the washer and dryer are humming ever so quietly.

I'm excited about The Hatley Castle Post

the stately home and grounds reminds me of Downton Abbey...

oh and it's the season finale is tonight!

Hope that you have enjoyed your weekend.

Hostess

XO

White Sale...and thoughts of Mother.

New towels from Lands End arrived in the post...
Supima cotton terry in a nice weight and pure white.
Not as fluffy as the pricier Abyss brand but all 6 pieces were less than the cost of one Abyss bath towel.

Frugal yes but will they last?
I hope that I am not going to regret this purchase and only time will tell how they stand up to bi~weekly washings and daily use. It's an experiment and one that I will be repeating in various areas of my domestic scene for the next while. I will report back and advise in due course.

Tied up with grey gross grain ribbon they look like a present!

I took Mother to see the film Quartet at the theatre recently and we were almost the last ones seated.

It was so popular and it has a fabulous all star cast

Maggie Smith is lovely in her role!

We chose a matinee which might have been a mistake as every one else seemed to have the same idea

perhaps the gloomy grey skies had something to do with it...

Mother does love a great film or play as they seem to transport her to a place that she loves to be.

I've noticed that Mother is quite lonely these past few months..

despite the efforts of my sister and I to keep her entertained.

Her friendly neighbour Elizabeth moved to a hip condo building downtown

so their impromptu wine and cheeses and afternoons sipping copious amounts of tea are sorely missed.

It must be so hard to keep ones spirits up when one lives alone.

Her cleaning lady comes once a week to do the bathrooms, kitchen, vacuum and dust.

Mother makes her a lovely tea and a snack and they sit for a bit and have a chat.

I do wonder why Mother doesn't join in the Senior's Centre activities...

considering she really never was much of a joiner

it should not be a surprise

it's too bad because there may be a friend out there for her...

someone that she could play cards with or go out to lunch or tea with

someone who may be a widow like she is and has shared similar life experiences.

My friend Sandy's mother Pam and Mother got along and they would seek each other out for some fun.

Sadly Pam passed away last year...

a lot of Mother's friends have had health issues and are now in care or gone.

Mother is still driving and gets out regularly which is her saving grace.

She pays her bills and shops for her own groceries

does her banking and loves to shop for clothes.

It's difficult watching someone you love age before your very eyes.

I'd like to hold tight to those images of her when I was younger and she was the belle of the ball.

Dressing up in her finery for evenings out with Father.

Me sitting on her bed taking in every detail...

from the silky lace trimmed slips

to her fastening her hose and garters

the dabs of Shalimar 

behind her ears, her neck and on her wrists

Father zipping up her zipper

fastening her Sherman necklace

Mother

carefully arranging her hair

and

 clipping on her sparkling dangly earrings

then applying her red lipstick

before blotting on a tissue to absorb the excess

then swishing by me a giving me a quick kiss before grabbing her fur 

and disappearing out the door...

memories have the power to take me back in time

a long long time ago...

This is a delightful read from the blogger Orangette.

Pop by to get a taste of her delicious writing!

We have house guests coming for the weekend...

what plans do you have?

Have Fun!

Post 714 or another abstract tangental post.

We have been super busy here in The Humble Bungalow, between listening to the rain gushing through the down spouts we have hosted a baby shower and have been enjoying the visit from Mr. HB's family from up in the Kootenay area of BC.

There has been a minimum of opportunity to blog!
It's funny how I got into a regular routine of blogging. It happened quite seamlessly once I caught the blogging bug...and it has still not waned.
I've noticed quite a few of the blogs that started up when I did have gone the way of the dodo.
Many are blogging less and I wonder if we all get to the point where we have said it all or have very little else to say...
I feel a bit like a proverbial blabber mouth!
I can see by my stats that there are many people out there who read my babble....
and I am curious just what it is that brings people back.

If you have an opinion on this perhaps you'll feel comfortable enough to leave me a comment.

My recent "running errands OOTD"

I know I know

you may be shaking your head right now.

I am wearing LuLulemon Yoga pants

they are so very comfortable and I felt if I wore them with my ballet flats that they might look a bit dressier.

The Fashion Police will certainly cite me for this infraction.

I also wore red Chanel lipstick and donned my scarf....

does that count?

Do I sound like I am pleading my case?

Maybe I am just trying to justify this choice to myself!

This scarf is so simple to tie

if you've never worn a scarf 

cut your teeth on one like this.

Do you like these Simple books?

I have a few of them and they are fun to peruse.

I do see more inspiring details each time I flip through the pages.

One thing I have learned is that accessories are the best way to add a personal touch.

In these fluctuating and uncertain economic times 

I think it's prudent to have a basic lean functional wardrobe.

One that makes you feel great, looks good and flatters, one that does not completely deplete your bank account, and one that is classic enough to withstand a personal economic downturn.

(heaven forbid that should happen but we do need to be mindful and not stick our heads in the sand)

Look the sun made a brief encouraging appearance

and it was as if the sun had been shining all day long.

It takes very little to brighten my day.

What bright spots have made a showing in your day?

Be Well

~ ~ ~ 

Hostess

Feathering the nest and the quest for red ballet flats...

For those of you who have been following for awhile we are in the home stretch on the renovation front...
soon there will be guests in our Humble Bungalow and I cannot wait to share our fresh new space with them.
Personally I am excited to spend some time with our friends, it is long overdue.
They have been abroad in France, the UK and exotic ports ~ there are many wonderful stories to share.

My job is to make sure they are comfortable here in our Humble Bungalow...
we have fluffed up the towels and are ready to entertain...

I asked Mr. HB if this might pass muster and be hung on the wall.

He gave it the thumbs up and hung it for me.

It's the only nod to colour in the wee bathroom.

Thanks honey!

The weekend is here...

I'm taking Mother out for lunch and some shopping

I'm searching for those illusive red flats

I fear that I may need to shop online as I have not seen hide nor hair of a pair in our city

and I have been looking for far too long!

what have you got planned?

~ ~ ~

Macarons and more....

The weekend was full to the brim of fun food family and friends...
and it's Monday
with only one Macaron left!

Delicious

 made by Julie

a Hostess gift 

(sheer perfection)

Don't you think it looks nice with the bluebells?

such a pretty shade

What to serve when a caterer comes to dine....

Buy some "fresh off the boat" crab

cook and clean it then pick it

make crab cakes

serve with ginger mayonnaise

atop a bed of pea shoots

follow with salad 

Barefoot Contessa style

from her Parties cookbook

red leaf lettuce

balsamic onions

vinaigrette

blue cheese 

Pasta al Sugo 

(Mr. HB's recipe)

with fresh homemade fettucini pasta

artisan bread

roasted fruit

Greek coconut yogurt

(full fat)

with

chocolate espresso cookies

(homemade but rock hard the disaster of the evening!)

I should have tested these cookies before serving them

oh well no one is perfect!

Family dinner was a BBQ

new recipe from White Water Cooks

birthday gift from my son and DIL

West coast fare...

served with twice baked and stuffed potatoes

broccoli salad

tomato basil balsamic salad

red leaf lettuce balsamic blue cheese salad

(fresh, a repeat of Saturday's salad)

wild rice

served with the remaining fruit salad and yogurt

Slept like a baby last night after all the hustle and bustle.

I was recognized by a reader at the market yesterday!

Hello to Marsha

who so kindly introduced herself to me.

She'd been shopping in the newly opened J. Crew in Vancouver

she said the space is quite small

and the selection was limited.

I'll bet that they are dipping their polished toes

 very carefully into our Canadian market before they go big or go home.

Have a fabulous Monday...

see you tomorrow!

XO

Weekend Doings and Thoughtful Musings

Weekend Doings and Thoughtful Musings

Abkhazi Gardens

Cheryl and I strolled through these lovely grounds on Saturday.

Beauty was all around

every nook and cranny sported blooms.

Easter Lilies

so pure and delicate as they nodded in the gentle breeze.

So much has been packed into a short time

the weekend is almost over...

The weekend has flown by

Cheryl and I went to the spa

while Mr. HB and John went to a brew pub for lunch

I took Cheryl to the Abkhazi Gardens

we all walked along the sea front and watched the wind surfers

watched the movie Crazy Stupid Love

catch up

share laughter

we did our best to serve delicious meals

and offer comfort and hospitality to our friends

it was great to see them as they are off to France for the next 6 months.

Bon Voyage John and Cheryl!

The Humble Bungalow Blog was started on a whim and has become a large part of my routine.

I can't quite believe that I have arrived at the 603rd post, 

it's rather staggering when I seriously think about it.

Our life here is so simple...

we are humble

and go about our daily round

expecting little

joys are often found while doing chores

they pop up and surprise us when we least expect it.

This morning is a good example

we had said goodbye to our house guests and I was tidying up

the vacuuming was finished and Pepper was in the front hallway

I was just about to take a load of towels downstairs to the laundry room

when I was stopped in my tracks...

Pepper was pawing frantically in the air trying to catch the dust particles that she could see moving in the sunshine.

It was a glimpse of something unexpected and it made me smile.

Tell me about your weekend!

Rhapsody in colour, a prescription for Happy!

Let the sun shine today please...
in the absence of full sun today I am protesting
and engaging colour
by posting a myriad of images that shout happy.

the simple tomato

sunny T shirt and scarf

semi precious sunny drops

window display 

South Granville

snowdrops

a rhapsody in white

lush green lawn

acacia limbs

soon to be firewood

Any thoughts on a great apple tree to plant in it's place?

Pepper's slurping up her morning H2O

she only drinks from the tap

loves her water cold and fresh.

(We do indulge her)

Could that be sunshine peeking through the clouds?

small but charming

Soon the roses will start to bloom 

 in The Humble Bungalow Garden

and I can't wait!

whatever the weather brings

have yourself a very happy weekend 

we've got house guests

one functioning bathroom

and the reno is still in an unfinished state

I've cleaned up the mess

dusted

vacuumed

and 

good friends are on the way!

You know they are good friends when they'll line up for the loo

and have to navigate a worksite to get to their room!

Think sunny thoughts...

I know I am:-)

XO

The weekend of an entertaining hostess...

It's been a busy weekend here in The Humble Bungalow....
I have been wearing my apron again and acting as a Hostess.

\

OOTD

boots

skinny jeans

V neck black jersey knit top

regulation black and white striped apron

I cannot cook without wearing an apron as I am a messy cook.

I have ruined many tops in the past before reconciling the fact that I need to have protection from splatters!

a rather blurry image of the table set for our dinner party

Mr. HB's bar set up 

Bowmore single malt scotch for the men

lemon drop martini's for the women

tray of nibbles

olives

Welsh cheddar cheese

eggplant spread

rice crackers

smoked salmon candy

dried apricots

spinach salad

tomatoes

sunflower shoots

slivered almonds

dried cranberries

with

maple syrup balsamic vinaigrette

(Dressing recipe Whitewater Cooks)

Thai coconut chicken

before cooking

recipe from Whitewater Cooks

served with coconut rice

sauteed green beans 

chocolate cake

(recipe from Whitewater Cooks)

served with raspberry coulis 

fresh raspberries

with 

vanilla soy dream ice cream

Our guests were consulted regarding food preferences and allergies

the meal was lactose and gluten free.

Our friends came bearing gifts!

yellow tulips

 paperwhites

single malt scotch for Mr. HB 

wine 

Prosecco for dinner

olives

and this lovely

chartreuse green baker 

to heat up the black olives

if you have never warmed olives 

run don't walk 

pop some in the oven

you are in for a delicious surprise!

Hope that your weekend has offered up some memorable moments.

The weekend is not quite done...

 The Golden Globes are on TV 

as well as Downton Abbey

 so we'll be glued to the tube tonight.

There's a dusting of snow on the ground

 I plan to get outside and enjoy some frosty loveliness

before donning my apron to make a roast beef Sunday Supper...

but first I must get out of my robe and get showered and greet the day.

I spent most of the morning lazing about in bed reading the latest Town and Country

sipping tea!

(and putting together this post!)